Dash cams, what to get and where to get it (Q&A only)

corglass

freddyboiii wrote: »

I've had a search but any threads seem to be old and (I assume) outdated.

Can anyone recommend a good dash cam for less than €50. I know at this price I won't be getting super clear hd or the top of the range models but unfortunately it is the most I can spend. I don't need a perfect one just one that will be as reliable as possible with the best available picture quality for the price range.

Thanks

Try amazon.co.uk, they've some amazing dashcam offers at the moment

freddyboiii

Thanks, any suggestions on which models to look at?

sogood

There are a couple on Donedeal in that price range. Check out the "Car Accessories" section.

rovoagho

You've great timing.

http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2013/12/16/g1w-the-cheapest-dash-cam-thats-worth-buying.html

RandomAccess

Ok, been on the fence for a while but after an incident in Phibsborough tonight I'm going to just go and order the Mini 0801. Reckon its good enough.

Deciding factor was that a guy ran a red light and almost t-boned me only I was paying attention and hit the brakes and horn.
I was probably the third car through my green light, so he missed the red entirely! Closest ever to a write off level accident.

gman2k

I received this last week
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00F5WP990/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
Ive also ordered a 12v to 5v step down with dual usb outlet, which I'll wire into the ignition feed.
Build quality is great, but I'll reserve judgment until I'm on the road!
I got this cam based on Techmoan reviews

Topbike77

Is this the best one currently for your money? http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2013/7/8/the-mobius-camera-the-do-it-all-mount-anywhere-1080p-micro-c.html

Im looking to get one soon

Gumbo

Ronan14 wrote: »

Is this the best one currently for your money? http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2013/7/8/the-mobius-camera-the-do-it-all-mount-anywhere-1080p-micro-c.html

Im looking to get one soon

Its an excellent camera, and what i have in my car.
But, this one http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2013/8/31/the-mini-0801-tiny-1080p-gps-car-camera-with-an-lcd-screen.html was released a little after i bought mine, so if i was buying again, i would buy the 0901 cam.

gman2k

The Mobius is better suited as an action cam.
The 0801 is a better dash cam, due to mounting, gps, auto start etc.

rovoagho

Mobius does auto start, for the record.

Topbike77

The 0801 seems to be a bit pricey compared to the Mobius. Is there many beneficial features/reasons to go for it?

gman2k

Ronan14 wrote: »

The 0801 seems to be a bit pricey compared to the Mobius. Is there many beneficial features/reasons to go for it?

techmoan has all the answers

Topbike77

Thanks for all the advice I think ill go for the 0801, is this place ok to get it from? http://www.foxoffer.com/mini-0801-ambarella-a2s60-1080p-car-dvr-p-629:9712dd7353a3c6f68898eb4ae2c5c275.html#.Ur4V3vRdUwB €65 delivered..

gman2k

I've never heard of that site.
the 0801 is now £60 on Amazon Uk, which includes the gps ( not inc with Fox) and you are safe from customs (not with Fox).
Amazon for me all the way!

Gumbo

Ronan14 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice I think ill go for the 0801, is this place ok to get it from? http://www.foxoffer.com/mini-0801-ambarella-a2s60-1080p-car-dvr-p-629:9712dd7353a3c6f68898eb4ae2c5c275.html#.Ur4V3vRdUwB €65 delivered..

No, buy it from eBay through PayPal. Too many companies out thee shipping from the other side of the world without tracking info.

It took me two months to get a refund from a company I bought the 0801 from for a mate and that was after getting the fraud department of Avantcard on the case. Buy through eBay and then you'll have 100% protection with paypal.

I ended up buying from this guy - http://www.ebay.ie/itm/121173276417?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

gman2k

Buy from Amazon, get the order fulfilled from Amazon and you have no risk of customs.... And your purchase is protected
Buy through eBay and you still risk customs, and have as good as no protection for your purchase (in the real world)
That's my 2c, and off topic! /end.

Stealthirl

OK i think i should get something better then the app on my phone.
it's not to bad in daytime

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNuwj8PZZ-8

I'd like something better for eve/night time as that's when i do 80% of my driving

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc6cDsRkbC4

Something that is easy to save a clip on when its in place would be good aswell

cormie

Would anyone have suggestions for these requirements at all please?


My requirements I guess are simple enough, the essentials are:

*1080 recording at least
*Great night quality
*Great frame rate for number plate recognition
*I guess a wide view lens for the same reason.
*G sensor
*GPS with separate speed reading (i.e, not embedded into the video itself, but read via software)
*Emergency button or shock files which can't be overwritten
*Adjustable Sensitivity(I don't think vans are renowned for suspension)
*High quality build, sold and warranty returnable within the EU (no customs etc)
*Discreet

Existing technology but probably not in any dash cams?:

*GPS tracking (I can view where my vans are remotely)
*Video feed (I can see what my vans see remotely!)
*Built in rechargeable battery (charged when vehicle in use, uses its own battery while parking so not to interfere with and drain the vehicle battery)
*Bluetooth (sync video files and watch on phone if at the scene of an accident)
*Mirror attachment sold separately (custom shape rear view designed specifically so camera can slot into it and be completely hidden from view)

Bluefoam

I'm thinking of getting a Dash Cam & the following was recommended:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Camera-Recorder-Vision-1280x960-Resolution/dp/B005Q6NC2G/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Anyone have experience of this baby?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpJu5uwGlmE

Gumbo

Bluefoam wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting a Dash Cam & the following was recommended:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Camera-Recorder-Vision-1280x960-Resolution/dp/B005Q6NC2G/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Anyone have experience of this baby?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpJu5uwGlmE

In my honest opinion, dont try save a few euro, and dont buy one that hasnt been reviewed by Technomoan on his You Tube channel. He seems to be the industry go to on these cameras, and i would base my purchase on what he says about a particular dash cam.

Bluefoam

Thanks kceire, that is Technomoan's review above.

cormie

Voodoomelon and gman2k, I see you both seem to have gone for different Mini 0801 buying options. Voodoomelon, the ebay link you purchased from is more than double the cost of the same model shipped (or what seems to be the same model) from Amazon.

Can either of you see any reason not to go for the much cheaper, fulfilled by amazon (no customs?), gps inclusive Amazon one?

Looking at the RAW files of the Mini 0801 in the link here: http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2013/8/31/the-mini-0801-tiny-1080p-gps-car-camera-with-an-lcd-screen.html

and comparing to the raw files of the DOD, in the link here: http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2013/12/8/dod-ls430w-gps-dashcam-review.html

(don't view direct in dropbox as the quality is bad, you'll have to download to see full quality)

It seems the DOD appears slightly better quality? Less grainy? But it's a lot more expensive.

Can I ask you both also, the 0801 is said to have a battery. Does this keep recording after the ignition is turned off? Say if you were to hop into a shop for 5 minutes, would it record for a few minutes until it loses power?

gman2k

I'm still powering my cam via the cigarette lighter, which has an always on feed, so I just leave it running if stopping briefly.
When I unplug it, it shuts down automatically quickly enough, but I think that is a menu variable option.
The battery is small in the 0801, I believe will only give c. 15 mins use when disconnected - which is fine for me, as it is a dash cam!
The Mobius is probably a better option if you are bothered by battery life, but then you have no screen, and menu setting is much more tricky with no screen.
I had my cam set at 1080p 60, but my (10 yr old) pc struggled to play them (new pc on the way soon).
I have changed the setting to 1080 p 30, but I've yet to download to a pc for comparison.
The video / gps player that Techmoan links to on his blog performs better than QuickTime, VLC or Windows Media..... And has trim options for saving smaller video segments.

vibe666

gman2k wrote: »

Buy from Amazon, get the order fulfilled from Amazon and you have no risk of customs.... And your purchase is protected
Buy through eBay and you still risk customs, and have as good as no protection for your purchase (in the real world)
That's my 2c, and off topic! /end.

I've about 200 online purchases come from outside of the EU (to NI) through parcel motel at this stage and never had an issue. if you can save more than the €3.50 it costs for parcel motel then (unless you are in a rush) ebay is grand.

i wouldn't normally buy memory cards off ebay though, not much difference in price and too easy to get fakes even from reputable sellers imho (and experience), so I usually go for UK or irish suppliers, particularly given how cheap flash memory is these days, there just isn't enough of a saving to take the risk.

cormie

Thanks a lot for that, 15 miinutes on battery is fine, enough to capture something if you're just popping in somewhere and two of the vans have an always on feed if I need it a bit longer.

Can you see any advantage of ordering off the ebay link as opposed to Amazon for double the price? :eek:

gman2k

Amazon all the way for me, price and reasons outlined in earlier posts.

Nino Brown

I've got a used DOD on adverts if anyone is interested. Currently using the Lukas 7900 Ace, it's an outstanding dashcam.

cormie

Thanks gman!

Nino, what DOD do you have on adverts? Is it the one I've linked to above and why did you opt for the Lukas 7900 over it?

golfpaul

cormie wrote: »

Thanks a lot for that, 15 miinutes on battery is fine, enough to capture something if you're just popping in somewhere and two of the vans have an always on feed if I need it a bit longer.

Can you see any advantage of ordering off the ebay link as opposed to Amazon for double the price? :eek:

Hi Cormie,

The ebay one you have linked is better speced than the amazon one as it comes with a built in 8GB memory same one on amazon £73.99 and also comes with the GPS mount holder £16.99
So £90.98 on amazon for same spec, a saving of £18.02

Nino Brown

cormie wrote: »

Thanks gman!

Nino, what DOD do you have on adverts? Is it the one I've linked to above and why did you opt for the Lukas 7900 over it?

The DOD GSE 550, not the one in your link.

The lukas came with a power supply you wire into the fuse box, so it runs even when the car is parked in motion detect mode, it auto switches from drive to park mode. And if the battery ever drops to 12.4V it shuts off completely so it never runs down the battery. The DOD is powered from the cigarette lighter, I didn't like running the wire from the lighter, I wanted to wire it into the fuse box.
Also I'm not a huge fan of suction cups, the lukas comes with a clip you stick to the windscreen similar to a toll tag, and the camera can be removed from the clip.